Welcome

 

An exciting new project is underway at Prospects Literacy Association in Edmonton, Alberta. We are in the process of setting up a provincial Centre for Family Literacy, the first of its kind in Canada! The Centre will run many of the programs currently run by Prospects; other components of the centre will include promotion and research, as well as provision of information, training, and resources.

This site is intended to update you on the progress of the Centre as it develops, and to provide background information and other details about the project. For information about programs in family literacy currently offered, visit the Prospects web site.

 
   

Background to the Centre for Family Literacy Project
  

The Literacy Needs of Alberta Families

From September 1996 to September 1997, individuals and organizations, including Prospects Literacy Association, Success by 6® , United Way, the University of Alberta and family literacy professionals met to discuss means of better supporting the development of literacy in families. Participants in these discussions perceived the most effective and efficient way to address the gaps in service was the establishment of a Centre for Family Literacy in Edmonton. Further discussions determined that such a Centre should support and expand upon the work of family literacy practitioners across the province. To this end, a grant has been received from the National Literacy Secretariat to develop this Centre over a two year period.

 

Family Literacy at Prospects Literacy Association

Prospects has the administrative expertise, the family literacy program experience, and the strong interagency liaisons in place to spearhead and direct the development of a Family Literacy Centre. Family Literacy in Edmonton (FLIE), under the direction of Prospects, is the most comprehensive family literacy project in the province. Constructed within a cross-agency collaborative framework that includes the University of Alberta, Northern Alberta Reading Specialists' Council, the Capital Health Authority, the Office of Commissioner of Services for Children and Families, United Way, Success by 6®, local Foundations, Headstart programs, daycares, Community Service Centres and schools, Prospects has served almost 4,000 families in the last three years. Programs range widely in addressing the literacy needs of parents and their children from birth to elementary school age (visit the Programs page at the Prospects web site).

 

The Services of a Centre for Family Literacy

A provincial centre for family literacy will help meet the increased demand for information, training, resources, liaison, programs and program accountability. The Centre will:

• serve as a resource and information centre for family literacy programs throughout Alberta;
• host a variety of adult and family literacy programs to meet the needs of "at risk" families within the capital area;
• maintain a holistic approach towards the literacy/learning needs of the adults and children it serves;
• act as a catalyst for interagency support for "at risk" families;
• serve as a provincial training centre for family literacy workers, educators and other professionals in related areas;
• serve as the location for intensive and long term research on the effectiveness of family literacy programs as educational intervention;
• be a centre for innovation in which new ideas about learning and education can be piloted and implemented; and
• serve as a model for the development of future family literacy centres across Canada.

 

Project Management Structure

 

Staff

  • Maureen Sanders*: Project Director
  • Sharon Skage*: Learning Together Program Coordinator
  • Diane Wozniak: Administrative Assistant:

(*denotes part time)

 

Current Board Members:

Mr. Randy Boissonnault,
Xennex Business Networks

Mr. Ian Cochrane,
General Manager, Bargain Finder Press

Ms. Cathy Krysa,
Project Coordinator, Alberta Health and Wellness

Mr. Del Lewis,
Henning, Byrne, Whitmore & McKall Law Office

Dr. Stephen Norris,
Dept. of Education Policy Studies, U of A

Ms. Liz O'Neill,
Exec. Dir., Big Sisters & Big Brothers Soc. of Edmonton

Ms. Christine Palichuk,
General Manager, CIBC

Mr. Derrick Pieters,
Regional Manager, Public Affairs, Capital Health Authority

Mr. Jason Randhawa,
WavePOINT Systems Inc.

Mr. Roger Simpson,
Office of the Auditor General of Canada

Dr. Elizabeth Vetsch,
Grandview Heights Medical Clinic

Cst. Mike Woodman,
Edmonton Police Service

Executive Committee

  • Maureen Sanders, Executive Director, Prospects Literacy Association
  • Dr. Ruth Hayden, Department of Elementary Education, University of Alberta
  • Carole Gilfillan, Success by 6®/United Way
  • Sharon Skage, Literacy Consultant
  • Randy Boissonnault, Vice President Corporate Development, Canadian Offshore Financial Services S.A.

 

Executive Committee
Terms of Reference

Purpose
The Executive Committee has the same general purpose as the Steering Committee to guide the development of the two-year project. The Executive Committee will have somewhat more responsibilities as described under Function.

Membership
Two Prospects staff and 3-5 members with a committed interest in the establishment of the Centre. The Administrative Assistant will attend as a non-voting member to take Minutes.

Authority
Works within the Steering Committee with the same authority as the Steering Committee.

Length of Membership
From September 1997 to September 2000

Frequency of Meetings
At least once a month.

Function
The Executive Committee will ensure that the project moves forward by performing certain functions on behalf of the Steering Committee. These include:

  • planning agendas, reviewing minutes of meetings;
  • recruiting members to the Standing Committees;
  • assisting the Standing Committees in determining their representatives to the Steering Committee;
  • recruiting "open seat" members of the Steering Committee;
  • attending Standing Committee meetings as needed;
  • supporting project staff in making presentations to potential partners and funders;
  • coordinating and reviewing information from Standing Committees for presentation to the Steering Committee;
  • reviewing timelines and goals regularly;
  • making recommendations to Prospects' Board on any necessary changes to the project plan; and
  • ensuring that each Standing Committee has a plan in place to realize realistic and positive outcomes of the project.

 

Objectives for Year One: January - December 1998

 

1. Provide a transition between the work of F.L.A.G. and the development of the Centre in terms of responding to requests for information, dissemination of resources and providing an interim response to the general need for support of family literacy work. Begin to make known the plans for development of the Centre.

2. Conduct a thorough needs assessment to help determine the kinds of services, resources (materials and expertise) and facilities required to help support existing and fledgling family literacy programs and groups; also to verify the extent to which the Centre could be used as a research facility.

3. Develop a conceptual framework for the Family Literacy Centre including mission, vision, and values. This process will also determine the scope of facilities, services, resources, personnel, and organizational structure to meet the needs identified in #2.

4. Establish an interim organizational structure for the Centre, including steering, advisory and standing committees for the project, and develop terms of reference and roles and responsibilities for them. Liaise between and support these committees in their development work. Plan for transition to new organizational structure.

5. Conduct a cost analysis for facilities, resources, personnel, materials, programs and develop a plan for year 2 based on the results.

6. Develop a consultation process for receiving input about the Centre from all stakeholders including various provincial and federal government departments, LCA, F.L.A.G., AAAL, literacy programs in Alberta, health and social service agencies, aboriginal and multicultural groups, and literacy organizations in other provinces. .

7. Obtain initial commitment from potential funders or major partners and collaborating agencies.

Objectives for Year Two: January - December 1999

a) Planning

  • continue to obtain input from a variety of stakeholders
  • Programs & Services, Facilities, and Funding Planning Committees will make recommendations to the Executive Committee
  • develop a three-year business plan for the centre

b) Organizational Structure

  • establish a process to develop the centre's organizational structure, including membership, policies, and bylaws
  • depending on how Prospects defines its relationship with the centre, the centre will merge with, consolidate with, or contract services from Prospects

c) Promotion and Communication

  • update the Centre for Family Literacy Project information package as necessary
  • continue to liaise with a broad range of groups about the centre including LCA, AAAL, health and social service agencies, Aboriginal and multicultural groups, and literacy organizations in other provinces
  • work with a marketing/communications specialist to develop and implement a communications strategy for the purpose of raising the profile of family literacy generally in the province. This will be done in large measure by establishing the credibility of the centre.
  • continue to meet with agencies and current and potential partners to share information and confirm partnerships
  • continue to make presentations to family literacy practitioners, key funders, and potential supporters
  • plan and carry out Family Literacy Day event (January 27, 2000)

d) Support to Programs

  • continue responding to requests for information about family literacy generally, Prospects family literacy programs, FLAG resources, and the Centre for Family Literacy Project
  • continue to provide support to the national listserv Family Literacy Canada
  • continue to act in an advisory role to policy makers, e.g. to the Department of Advanced Education & Career Developments family literacy initiative and to the Standing Policy Committee on Education and Training
  • complete as many activities from the Strategic Plan for Funding of Family Literacy Programs in Alberta as can reasonably be accomplished in this development phase

e) Facilities and Resources

  • based on the Facilities Planning Committee's recommendations and the cost analysis, identify appropriate facilities (either renovation or construction)
  • based on recommendations of all planning committees, identify appropriate resources for the centre (e.g. library, office equipment, etc.)
  • based on recommendations of the Programs and Services Planning Committee, identify the staff required for the centre, develop job descriptions, and hire staff

f) Commence Operations

  • mark the commencement of operations of the centre for family literacy with an appropriate activity or event (a grand opening will take place when the permanent facility is ready)

g) Evaluation and Accountability

  • provide updates to all key stakeholders
  • provide interim reports to National Literacy Secretariat and other supporters as required
  • evaluate the Centre for Family Literacy Project and communicate results to appropriate audiences

h) Capital Fundraising Campaign

  • work with Success by 6® to ensure coordination between fundraising activities of this project and fundraising activities of that organization that relate to this project
  • work with the provincial literacy associations and literacy foundation to avoid duplication in fundraising activities
  • work with a fund development specialist to prepare for the capital campaign, specifically to address issues, raise awareness, and put the necessary campaign leadership, infrastructure, and lead gifts in place
  • work with a fund development specialist to develop and implement the capital fundraising campaign
  • work strategically with potential funders to develop both start-up and long-term funding commitments to the Centre

FLAG Resources

 

Resources that were formerly distributed by F.L.A.G. (Family Literacy Action Group) are now available from Prospects Literacy Association and will soon be available from the Centre for Family Literacy. Currently, you can order these items by contacting Prospects, or by emailing the CFL project office at the email address below. If prepaying, please make cheques payable to Prospects Literacy Association.

 

  • Building Strong and Effective Community Partnerships ($15)
    Created by FLAG for workers in family literacy, this manual provides:
    • an overview of family literacy models
    • definition and rationale for partnerships
    • initial steps in creating partnerships
    • how to build and maintain a partnership
    • barriers to building partnerships
    • key characteristics of successful partnerships
    • worksheet
    • sample information sheet, action plan and partnership agreement
    • recommended resources

     Note: this resource is also available online at the NALD website at:

    http://www.nald.ca/clr/partner/cover.htm
  • Practical Guide for Family Literacy ($15)
    Topics include:
    • a definition, rationale, and history of family literacy
    • a description of family literacy models
    • key features of family literacy programs, including examples from Alberta programs
    • a section on getting started, including information on community needs assessments, choosing and adapting a model,identifying partners and stakeholders, setting up a collaborative project, identifying resources, funding and technical assistance, hiring and training considerations, public awareness, and recruiting participants
    • evaluation and assessment considerations
    • key issues in family literacy (general and specific to Alberta) various appendices, including a glossary, list of family literacy programs, technical assistance/resource list, bibliography, "best books" list of children's literature, and related programs

     

  • Guide to Evaluation for Family Literacy Projects in Alberta ($20)
    Topics include:
    • Definitions and rationale for evaluation
    • Evaluation in Alberta
    • Evaluation frameworks for family literacy
    • Conducting program evaluation
    • Strategies for conducting participant assessment
    • Suggestions for summarizing, analyzing and reporting data

     

    Note: All three F.L.A.G. publications, plus a binder, are available for $49 plus $10 shipping. Please make cheques payable to Prospects Literacy Association.

Promotional Package for Centre for Family Literacy Project

 

One of the first tasks of the project was to develop a core promotional package which will be used to approach supporters and funders for the project.

The centrepiece for the package is a 14 page brochure containing relevant information about literacy, family literacy, and the Centre for Family Literacy project.

  • Brochure (sorry, not yet available on-line)

 

We have also included in the package, information sheets about the family literacy programs at Prospects as well as statistical information, about numbers of participants over the past several years.

 

Another piece in the package is a summary of an interesting study in family literacy carried out in the United Kingdom. This study "Family Literacy Works" and a follow-up report " Family Literacy Lasts" provide excellent evidence of the value of one type of family literacy program.

 

Finally, the package contains a compilation of needs assessment surveys which we used to clarify the need for family literacy programs in Alberta and across Canada.
  

For more information about the Centre for Family Literacy Project, contact the project coordinator at the address below, or contact Prospects Literacy Association.

Centre for Family Literacy Project
9913-108 Ave, EDMONTON, Alberta, T5H 1A5 CANADA
Phone: 780-424-1660 Fax: 780-424-1676
cflp@aaal.ab.ca

 
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